Swansea Slump To Valencia Defeat

by Matthew Thomas

Swansea City will have to wait to seal their place in the Europa League knockout round after slumping to a 1-0 defeat to Valencia, at the Liberty Stadium.

It was a very different encounter from Swansea’s emphatic 3-0 win in Spain, back in September. Daniel Parejo’s 20th minute goal saw off The Swans, who were denied a legitimate goal by a questionable offside decision and saw a late Alvaro Vasquez effort cleared off the line.

The result leaves Michael Laudrup’s side needing a point from their final group game to progress. Ironically Valencia could seal Swansea’s progression if they beat Kuban Krasnodar in their final game.

To add insult to the result, Swansea now face the next few weeks without striker Wilfried Bony, who was forced off in the first-half with a hamstring injury. Angel Rangel may also face time out after he limped off late on.

Swansea were first to threaten as Roland Lamah’s cross found the head of Bony whose header just went wide at the near-post.

However, on twenty minutes Swansea fell behind after more defensive problems from a set-piece. Gerhard Tremmel tamely pushed away a Valencia corner before Juan Barnat’s shot fell to Parejo. The former Real Madrid youngster made no mistake from close range.

Valencia then took control and denied the Swans any of the ball and Laudrup’s side continued to struggle, then they lost Bony to injury forcing them into an early change.

Swansea should have been level going into half-time, Alvaro Vasquez poked home from close range after Valencia keeper Alves brilliantly saved Shelvey’s effort, only for the linesman to raise his flag. Television replays revealed that neither player was offside, increasing Swansea’s recent frustration with officials.

Valencia should have doubled their lead early after the break but Andres Guardado shot straight at Tremmel and Sofiane Feghoouli chipped just wide when one-on-one.

Vasquez went closest for Swansea late on, as he was denied by Alves from close range, after the keeper parried Jonathan De Guzman’s effort before he saw a late shot cleared off the line when he was found well in the box.

Valencia held out until the final whistle and dealt Swansea their first defeat in the group. Michael Laudrup’s men will now have to wait until their trip to Switzerland on December 12th to seal their progression.